Folding table with hinged top



1954 s. A. JACQUES FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 15, 1953 INVENTOR. STANLEY A. JACQUES Oct. 19, 1954 s. A. JACQUESFOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15. 1953INVEVTOR. STANLEY A. JACQUES "1%, ATTORNEY i 'atented Get. 19, 1954UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP Stanley A.Jacques, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 15, 1953, Serial No. 398,343

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to folding tables of light and compactform, typically suited to support of refreshments.

A primary object of the invention is to provide such a table of novelform, providing the desirable characteristics of complete portability,sturdiness, and convenient compactness while in either folded orunfolded condition, and also, while unfolded, providing convenience inthe sense of minimum interference with movements of the user andadaquate stability both during intentional moving and against accidentaloverturning.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a preferred form of the table,illustrating the manner of its use.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing an intermediate stage in the foldingor unfolding of the table.

Figs. 4 and 5 respectively are end and side elevations of the tablefully folded.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 7-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8--8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Describing the drawings in detail, the table comprises two main parts, atable top 10, and a supporting frame N (Fig. 1). The frame includes apair of side supports l2, l3, each having a top member [4, a bottommember I5, and a standard-providing or intermediate portion IS. The topand bottom members have relatively oppositely disposed, outer surfacesI8, is (Figs. 3 to 5) preferably parallel, that respectively provide forunderlying support of the table top and supporting surfaces for restingon a floor.

Advantageously, supports l2, l3 are in the form shown, substantiallyU-shaped, with straight top and bottom-members l4, 15 right angularlydisposed relative to straight intermediate portions [6, and ofcylindrical tubing bent to form. The top and bottom members project fromthe standard-providing portions H in such relative angular dispositionthat at the same time that the bottom members l5 provide stable supportfor the frame H, the top members 14 are suitably positioned to underliethe table top H].

The side supports l2, 13 are joined together by a cross member 20 thatis pivotally attached to them to permit them to swing between positionswherein the bottom members l5 provide stable support, and the topmembers M are suitably positioned to underlie table top Iii, and whereinthe frame is folded, with the members of therespective supportsextending generally toward each other, as seen in Fig. 5. Conveniently,and as shown, with the supports of elongate cylindrical material, thecross member 213 may have attached to it adjacent each of its ends oneor more collars 2i that surround the cylindrical intermediate portionsl6, which may be fixed against axial movement by pins 22. Furthermore,cross member 20 may be in the illustrated form, generally U-shaped withits arms 23 parallel and alongside portions of the side supports.

Cross member 20 is so located relative to top support members i4 thatthe latter may swing past it, it being preferable that clearance betweentheir more adjacent surfaces be narrow. Table top iii is pivotallyattached, preferably adjacent its rear edge, the edge that is moreadjacent the support portions [6 while the table is erected, by meansthat so space the table top from member 26] as to permit it to rest ontop members 14, and as required by the spacing of member 20 inward ofmembers [4 to provide clearance when the latter are swung to foldedcondition. Conveniently, and as shown, with the cross member made ofbent, elongate, cylindrical stock, the pivotal attachment of top Iii tomember 25 may be by collars 24 surrounding the latter end attached tothe former by spacers 25.

The manner of use and operation of the table now will be apparent. Thefolded condition is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein top It hangs fromcross member 20, alongside supports I2, is, which are folded with theirmembers M, [4 and i5, i5 extended generally toward and partiallyalongside each other. To erect the table, top it is swung upward until,as suggested by Fig. 3, the top members hi can be swung under it. Thesupports [2, l3 thereupon are swung from their folded relationship,Figs. 4 and 5, to the relationship shown in Figs. 1 and 2, andthereafter the top is lowered upon members I l.

To look the member against unintentional outward swinging from beneaththe table top, the latter may be supplied with stops, convenientlygrooves 26 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, in which members hi engage.Additionally, supports l2, I3 may be provided with extension feet 21 toprevent tipping of the table.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that many modifications of thespecific embodiment herein disclosed, within the principles and pur- 3poses of the inventions therein embodied, and consequently it will beunderstood that the breadth of that invention and scope of protection towhich it is entitled, are to be determined solely from the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A folding table comprising a frame including a pair of supports, eachhaving an intermediate portion and bottomand top members extendedlaterally of said portion in substantially parallel relation, and across member extended between said intermediate portions and relativelypositioning them with said bottom and top members respectively disposedto serve as feet and table top supports, and a table top pivoted, tosaid frame for swinging between a table-providing position overlying andsupported by said top them here and a folded position alongside saidintermediate portions.

2 A folding table according to claim 1, wherein said cross member ispivo'tall'y attached to said intermediate side member portions to permitswinging of said supports between positions wherein said top membersprovide support for said table top, and positions wherein they permitdownward swingingof said table top 3 A folding table acce'rding toclaii'n 2, wherein each of said supports comprises a substantiallyU-shaped member, and wherein the median axes of the top and bottommembers of each said support lie substantially in the same plane.

4. A folding table comprising a frame including a pair of side supports,each having a standard'- providing portion and bottom and top membersprovided with relatively opposite outer surfaces that are substantiallyparallel, and a cross member pivotally attached to said standardproviding portions to permit said supports to swing, and the difierentmembers of the respective supports said table top is pivoted to saidcross member closely adjacent an edge of said top.

6'; A folding table according to claim 5, wherein each of said supportsis substantially U-shaped, and the top and bottom members of eachsupport are straight and have their longitudinal axes disposedsubstantially in a single plane.

'7. A; folding table according to claim 4, wherein said cross member isspaced inward from the inner surfaces of said top members, to permit theiatter to swing past ityi-hl illidl'hg means ivoting said table top tosaid cross'ifiemb'er and spacing it therefrom at a distance permittingit to overlie said top members;

References Cited in the file of this patent sw ms- PATENTS

